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Thin liquid/gas diffusion layers for high-efficiency hydrogen production from water splitting

Author

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  • Mo, Jingke
  • Kang, Zhenye
  • Yang, Gaoqiang
  • Retterer, Scott T.
  • Cullen, David A.
  • Toops, Todd J.
  • Green, Johney B.
  • Zhang, Feng-Yuan

Abstract

In this study, a novel titanium thin LGDL with well-tunable pore morphologies was developed by employing nano-manufacturing and was applied in a standard PEMEC. The LGDL tests show significant performance improvements. The operating voltages required at a current density of 2.0A/cm2 were as low as 1.69V, and its efficiency reached a report high of up to 88%. The new thin and flat LGDL with well-tunable straight pores has been demonstrated to remarkably reduce the ohmic, interfacial and transport losses. In addition, well-tunable features, including pore size, pore shape, pore distribution, and thus porosity and permeability, will be very valuable for developing PEMEC models and for validation of its simulations with optimal and repeatable performance. The LGDL thickness reduction from greater than 350μm of conventional LGDLs to 25μm will greatly decrease the weight and volume of PEMEC stacks, and represents a new direction for future developments of low-cost PEMECs with high performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Mo, Jingke & Kang, Zhenye & Yang, Gaoqiang & Retterer, Scott T. & Cullen, David A. & Toops, Todd J. & Green, Johney B. & Zhang, Feng-Yuan, 2016. "Thin liquid/gas diffusion layers for high-efficiency hydrogen production from water splitting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 817-822.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:817-822
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.154
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    3. Qiu, Diankai & Peng, Linfa & Yi, Peiyun & Lehnert, Werner & Lai, Xinmin, 2021. "Review on proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack assembly: Quality evaluation, assembly method, contact behavior and process design," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    4. Pan, Zehua & Liu, Qinglin & Zhang, Lan & Zhou, Juan & Zhang, Caizhi & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2017. "Experimental and thermodynamic study on the performance of water electrolysis by solid oxide electrolyzer cells with Nb-doped Co-based perovskite anode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 559-567.
    5. Lee, Jason K. & Schuler, Tobias & Bender, Guido & Sabharwal, Mayank & Peng, Xiong & Weber, Adam Z. & Danilovic, Nemanja, 2023. "Interfacial engineering via laser ablation for high-performing PEM water electrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    6. Lin, Rui & Tang, Shenghao & Diao, Xiaoyu & Zhong, Di & Chen, Liang & Froning, Dieter & Hao, Zhixian, 2020. "Detailed optimization of multiwall carbon nanotubes doped microporous layer in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for enhanced performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    7. Rasaki, S.A. & Liu, C. & Lao, C. & Zhang, H. & Chen, Z., 2021. "The innovative contribution of additive manufacturing towards revolutionizing fuel cell fabrication for clean energy generation: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    8. Kang, Zhenye & Wang, Hao & Liu, Yanrong & Mo, Jingke & Wang, Min & Li, Jing & Tian, Xinlong, 2022. "Exploring and understanding the internal voltage losses through catalyst layers in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis devices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    9. Yang, Gaoqiang & Mo, Jingke & Kang, Zhenye & Dohrmann, Yeshi & List, Frederick A. & Green, Johney B. & Babu, Sudarsanam S. & Zhang, Feng-Yuan, 2018. "Fully printed and integrated electrolyzer cells with additive manufacturing for high-efficiency water splitting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 202-210.
    10. Bhosale, Amit C. & Ghosh, Prakash C. & Assaud, Loïc, 2020. "Preparation methods of membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and unitized regenerative fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

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